SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIT TOPIC “CELEBRATIONS” GUY FAWKES TERM 4 WEEK 1-5

LEARNING INTENTIONS 1. To learn about who or what Guy Fawkes is.

LEARNING INTENTIONS 2. To understand the historical significance of Guy Fawkes.

LEARNING INTENTIONS 3. To learn how and why NZ celebrates Guy Fawkes.

GUY FAWKES – A CELEBRATION IN NEW ZEALAND a) What is Guy Fawkes really about? b) Who was Mr. Guy Fawkes and what did he do? c) Why do we celebrate it in New Zealand? d) How do you celebrate Guy Fawkes?

GUY FAWKES – A CELEBRATION IN NEW ZEALAND Guy Fawkes Night is an old English event celebrated each year on the evening of November 5th with bonfires, fireworks and family gatherings.

BUT WHERE DOES ‘GUY FAWKES’ COME FROM? The origin of Guy Fawkes dates back to 1605 when a group of 12 men tried to blow up Britain’s House of Parliament. This event became known as the Gunpowder Plot, and included Mr. Guy Fawkes, who established his reputation as one of Britain’s most notorious traitors.

Houses of Parliament. London, England Some of the men involved in the plot.

Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish, was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

SO WHY DID THESE MEN WANT TO BLOW UP PARLIAMENT? Under the rule of James 1st, English Catholics had been persecuted for many years. The 12 Gunpowder Plot conspirators believed that violent action was needed to end this persecution.

SO WHY DID THESE MEN WANT TO BLOW UP PARLIAMENT? By blowing up the Houses of Parliament they wanted to kill the King, the Prince of Wales, and the Members of Parliament who were making life difficult for the Catholics.

SO HOW DID THEY DO IT? To carry out their plan, the men got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder, and stored them in a cellar just under the House of Lords. Mr. Fawkes was placed in charge of this gunpowder.

But as the group worked on the plot, it became clear that innocent people would be hurt or killed in the attack. Some of the men started having second thoughts. One of the group members even sent an anonymous letter warning his friend, Lord Monteagle, to stay away from the Parliament on November 5th.

When the King found out he sent armed forces to search Westminster Palace during the early hours of 5 November, and found Mr. Fawkes guarding the explosives. He was caught and after days of questioning and torture he confessed. UH OH…

Fawkes was sent to trial, found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Immediately before his execution on 31 January, Fawkes jumped from the scaffold where he was to be hanged and broke his neck. THE END OF MR. GUY FAWKES

REMEMBERING 5 NOVEMBER A nursery rhyme was created to make sure that each new generation would remember the Gunpowder plot, and the nasty end that awaits traitors.

REMEMBERING 5 NOVEMBER Please to remember the fifth of November The gunpowder treason and plot I see no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot Guy Fawkes Guy, ’twas his intent To blow up king and parliament Three score barrels were laid below To prove old England’s overthrow. By God’s mercy he was catched With a dark lantern and lighted match. Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring Holler boys, holler boys, God save the King.

WHY ARE FIREWORKS AND BONFIRES PART OF CELEBRATIONS TODAY? On the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was stopped, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, the night has become known as Bonfire Night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and by burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

HOW GUY FAWKES IS CELEBRATED OVERSEAS:

HOW IS GUY FAWKES CELEBRATED IN NZ? New Zealanders celebrate the annual festival in the same way as the English do, with bonfires and fireworks lit on the official November 5 night. For kiwis, Guy Fawkes has become an occasion signalling the coming of summer and a chance for family and friends to get together and take in the excitement of spectacular fireworks.

GUY FAWKES CONTROVERSY The letting off of fireworks is becoming an increasingly controversial subject with many people calling for a ban on the sale of fireworks. Each year the fire service and Hospital Accident and Emergency departments are stretched to their limits dealing with fires, treating burns, eye injuries and sometimes deaths.

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE GUY FAWKES IN NZ? We celebrate Guy Fawkes in NZ not because of 5 November 1605, but just to have a fun night with fireworks. Some people think this is pointless fun, others think it’s a tradition that should continue.

RULES REGARDING FIREWORKS IN NZ 1) You need to be at least 18 years old to purchase fireworks. 2) The sale of fireworks occurs from 2 November to 5 November every year. 3) You can only buy sparklers with other fireworks in retail fireworks packages.

RULES REGARDING FIREWORKS IN NZ 4) You should always carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for each type of firework. 5) Keep your pets inside on Guy Fawkes night. 6) Point fireworks to the stars, not at your mates.

DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUE HAVING GUY FAWKES CELEBRATIONS IN NZ? DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE TOUGHER LAWS REGARDING FIREWORKS?

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